The fine (racing) line between reason and emotion
Published on 22 May 2015 by Stefan Meens
Many thanks to author Ivo op den Camp who allowed us to use his article published in Dutch newspaper Dagblad De Limburger/Limburgs Dagblad
What is his most important talent? Saying ‘No’. Whoever wants a piece of Max Verstappen, will have to deal with his manager, Raymond Vermeulen. For almost twenty years a family friend, but most of all a confidant and the man that conducts the business side of Max’ career.
In Monte Carlo’s harbour, Red Bull have turned a raft the size of a football pitch into their party palace. Loud music, lounge areas fully packed, sunglasses and impeccable clothing set the tone. The attendees, people who prefer glitter and glamour over Formula 1, enjoy a Red Bull, mixed with an alcoholic beverage. Behind this glamorous façade, there are still people out there working. One of them is Raymond Vermeulen, the person who runs the business side of Max Verstappen’s career.
Despite being the rookie’s manager, Vermeulen does not attend every Formula 1 race. “It’s easier and quieter to deal with a lot of stuff from home.” But staying in touch with the world that the 17-year-old has ventured in, is not a bad thing. Vermeulen is spotted chatting to Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s talent scout who managed to sign Max offering an F1 deal at Toro Rosso. Then Vermeulen chases up the latest developments regarding Max’ merchandise. But above all, Vermeulen listens carefully and keeps his eyes open. He walks through the paddock, chats to some folks whilst soaking up all the information that could be beneficial.
Back in the day, Raymond earned his income as an insurance broker. He loved driving fast so a lot of his free time was spend in a kart. Now and again he would swing by ‘De Rotonde’, de famous pub owned by Max’ granddad Frans Verstappen back in the nineties. “One day I asked Frans if he had an engine for my kart. He did, but the problem was it had to be put together and tuned. Because of my complete lack of racing talent, that's how I got acquainted with Jos.”
Huub Rothengatter, Jos' manager at the time, also got to know Vermeulen and the pair hit it off. “At one point, Huub wanted some advice on insurance, which is my background, and he asked me if I could be some sort of link between him an Jos. That's how it all started back in 1996 and now we're almost twenty years later.”
Vemeulen kept his eyes and ears open, learned how to operate in the paddock and quickly became a confidant of the Verstappens. “I've said it before and will always do, Rottengather taught me the ways of F1. He effectively educated me in the sport.”
Right from the start, Vermeulen noticed that Formula 1 is not what it seems on the outside. “You quickly see through the glitter and glamour and realize it's a world of its own. The negotiations are tough and to the point. They cut out all the bullshit and make it clear: 'this is what we want, this isn’t'. Although the main thing required is still to drive a race car fast. If you can't do that, the story ends rather quickly.”
When Raymond Vermeulen was cutting his teeth in Formula 1, Max Verstappen had not been born. It was a time in which team owners turned their hobby into their profession and still found their way into the pinnacle of motor sport. “Nowadays the commercial interests are bigger than ever and the budgets from back in the day are completely unthinkable now”, explains Vermeulen, who saw Jos Verstappen leave the Formula 1 stage back in 2003.
“Jos was already focussing on his next project: Max. Every father has that enthusiasm when his son displays a talent. Jos truly went all out. Not only did he have the required know-how of the sport but also the network to make the most of Max' talent.” In the background, Vermeulen helped pave the way on the accelerated path to Formula 1. He made sure all the clutter and stress was kept from the Verstappens, both business and private. He made sure the focus was kept on Max. “Jos did the technical and I do the business side.”
The job occupies Vermeulen 24/7, always balancing on the fine line between reason and emotion. “It was and remains tough. Jos wanted a contract whereas I would say 'no, let's stay calm.' It summed up the impatience of a father, totally understandable of course, and the my, more distant and objective approach.”
Exactly a year ago – in Monaco – the first conversations between the Verstappens (Vermeulen) and Red Bull (Helmut Marko) took place. “I then got the feeling that Max' career could potentially develop very quickly.” A couple of weeks later, Marko returned with a concrete offer. “That moment gave us goosebumps. Jos, Max and I sat in our hotel room knowing we would finalize everything the next morning. At five in the morning we got in the car on our way to Graz, to Marko's office. Two days later we signed the Formula 1 deal at Düsseldorf airport.”
From that moment onwards, Vermeulen's workload has increased rapidly. His smartphone relentless rings all the time. “The main thing is to protect Max. He has to be able to develop himself as a Formula 1 driver and as a human being. That's why I say no to a lot of things, eventhough Max is commercially interesting. Max is a brand, that's how it's signed up with a marketing agency. But for now, we won't go in all guns blazing because if Max keeps driving fast, he can be around for another 15 to 20 years. And in the end that's what matters: his sporting achievements.”
Source: Dagblad De Limburger/Limburgs Dagblad - by Ivo op den Camp
